DMU named most energy-efficient university in the East Midlands

De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) has been named the most energy-efficient university in the East Midlands following a national analysis of energy use and carbon emissions across UK universities.

The findings come from the 2026 University Heating League compiled by Uswitch, which assessed institutions using data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

Universities were ranked on energy use, carbon emissions and renewable energy adoption across the 2022-2024 academic years, with top sustainability progress performers placed into gold, silver and bronze tiers.

DMU earned a Silver Tier nationally and came out on top in the East Midlands, based on average energy use per student and staff member.

Karl Letten, head of sustainability at DMU, said: "We understand the impact of energy use in terms of using a finite resource and the associated carbon emissions from the use of fossil fuels to power and heat our buildings.

"We have committed to buy electricity from low carbon sources and through our Carbon Plan we are taking steps to reduce energy and carbon emissions across our campus. Not only does this make sound financial sense but it also contributes to our sustainability goals."

The ranking reflects DMU’s ongoing efforts to cut carbon emissions. The university has committed to net-zero for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2032, and Scope 3 emissions by 2045.

To achieve this, DMU has been upgrading campus buildings, installing smarter heating and lighting systems, and running initiatives to help staff and students make more sustainable choices.

Carbon Literacy training is also delivered across campus to give everyone practical ways to reduce their own impact.

DMU’s sustainability work has also recently received other national recognition. Last year, it was named Sustainability Institution of the Year at the 2025 Green Gown Awards and retained its First-Class status in the People and Planet University League, staying in the UK top 10 for the third year in a row.

These achievements highlight how DMU is leading the way on energy efficiency in the region, while also embedding sustainability across campus life, teaching and student experience.

The university has a long list of measures in place to make the university more sustainable, some of the other recent achievements, which have led to this result include:

• Carbon Literacy Educator organisation
• Leadership team completing Carbon Literacy training
• Achieving Hedgehog Friendly Campus status
• Achieving the Responsible Futures award for embedding sustainability into our teaching and learning
• Winning Green Gown Awards for our approach to sustainable fashion and our approach to climate change
• The only UK university to be a global hub for one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals- SDG11
• Reduced our carbon emissions from energy use by over 60%
• Achieved recycling rates of over 90%
• Ran the Daria Project with Leicester City Council to help staff and students learn how to ride a bike
• Provide support to staff and students who choose low carbon forms of travel
• Provide free travel for students and staff on Hospital Hopper bus service
• Introduced a carbon levy for individuals who take an overseas flight as part of DMU Global
• Provided staff and students with space to grow their own fruit and vegetables on campus
• Created a wildflower area on campus.
• Provided sustainability training for new teachers